The American Civil War (1861-65) is a conflict between the northern states of the federal union of the States of America and the 11 separated southern states that formed the Confederacy of the United States. The outbreak of the conflict is the highlight of the decades of long disagreements over the doctrine of the rights of states, trade and slavery, but also of important socio-cultural values. The causes of war are many, of which the issue of slavery is certainly the most important.

By the end of the American Revolution (1783), the United States experienced rapid growth and development. New states are being created, and millions of immigrants are coming to the country. In the north of the country bloom trade and industry, capitalist society is developing. South of the country is oriented to agriculture, a plantation culture develops depending on the work of African-American slaves. It is exactly the institution of slavery that became the main stumbling block and conflict that, after decades of compromise, led to the secession of the southern states, the formation of the Confederation and the Civil War. The issue of slavery appears relatively early as one of the important issues of the future of the United States. In 1787, the Northwest Territory was abolished in the northwest. With this, the institution of slavery is reduced to the US South, and the Union is basically sharply geographically divided into the northern free and southern slave states. Import of slaves was finally banned in 1808. There were numerous discussions about this ban, and at the request of the politicians of the South, it was postponed. Trade in slaves was a very profitable practice on the plantations that depended exactly on slavery. With the enlargement of the Union, the issue of slavery is becoming more and more important, but also a growing stumbling block. The first political crisis erupted when Missouri entered the Union. Missouri wanted to enter the Union as a slave state. The free-trade countries of the Union wanted to enter as a free state. Only through the mediation of Senator Henry Clay the Missouri Compromise was concluded. For the political situation in the Union, the balance between free and slave states has become very important. South thought that if new states want, they should have the right to legalize slavery. The Northerners, however, believed that if his propagation was prevented, it would die out. By connecting the vast areas of the Midwest and California, this conflict became a hot issue. There were numerous and fierce debates on both sides. South needed the country and political equality. Losing the majority in the Congress, the South Africans did not want to lose the Senate; the desire was expressed to have a slave-girl for every free state in the Union. The extremists in the south have demanded that all new territories become open for slavery, extremists from the north to close, and moderate that the Missouri line was withdrawing to the Pacific, or that each country decide sovereignly on the issue.

By the compromise of 1850, California was declared a free state, New Mexico and Utah were constituted as countries where slavery was not mentioned, trade in slaves was banned in the District of Columbia, and an improved system for capturing and returning fugitive slaves was established. Still, the compromise opened up new issues, and in many cases the issue of slavery could only be resolved by war. During the constitution of Kansas and Nebraska, the issue of slavery caused major conflicts. According to the Missouri Agreement, Kansas and Nebraska were supposed to be free states, but the Compromise of 1850 opened the issue of introducing slavery (the preceding Utah and New Mexico). In the next couple of years, the situation worsened. In the South, the expansion of slavery is being sought, and the North is increasingly seeking complete restraint and abolition of slavery. This problem, together with the tense political situation after the presidential elections of 1860-1861 and the victory of Abraham Lincoln, led to a civil war.

Cenantua’s Blog
“Centantua” aka Robert Moore, has been putting out this blog for much the same time as he has been working on a Master of Science in Technical & Scientific Communication degree from James Mason University. Topics range widely, but a running theme, no doubt relating to the parallel educational process, is the application of technology to history, both in teaching it academically and in the wider e-society outside the classroom. Technical jargon of the communications-major sort creeps in from time to time, but overall a nice read. Comments are easily posted without any impediments to the reader beyond including a nym and email address, a practice we commend.

Chickamauga Blog
Anybody who’s been around the block a time or two in Civil War circles knows Dave Powell. This site was set up to let Dave talk, opine and generally promote interest in a battlefield that certainly deserves it. Much of the discussion at the time we visited centered around a visit his study group was making to the field and related areas like McLemore’s Cove. But in between these brief discussions of battlefield (visit) logistics–and some longer and fascinating discussions of wartime matters. Sparked by everything from a rerun of Antiques Roadshow to a question on a wargamer chat board, Dave looks at topics as varied as how regiments get separated from their brigades in battle to stories of individual soldiers. Highly recommended.

CWBA Civil War Books & Authors
Andrew Wagenhoffer has one of very few blogs which must be regarded as “go-to sites” prior to buying Civil War books. We can do no better than to quote his own site description: “…with a special emphasis on the lesser known and underappreciated American Civil War books, authors, and publishers.”

Civil War Notebook
This one is hard to categorize, being pretty much what its name describes. Run by one Jim Miller, of whom we know little other than that he is from Murfreesboro TN, the blog has over time accumulated an impressive number of posts. Entirely from primary sources as far as we have seen, from well known ones like Dyer’s “Compedium” to the more obscure A History Of The First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Veteran Volunteers by Charles Lothrop, who contributes an update on the postwar life of “Billy, the late Dr. Chas. H. Lothrop’s old war horse.” The articles, biographies, newspaper reports and other entries are usually compact, quick reads that leave lingering images and potential questions to muse upon.

Geoff Elliott writes, as you might guess, about the 16th President. His well-written posts range from clips of news stories to insightful explorations of how Lincoln –both the real one and the one we know from our “civic mythology–impacts politics and other fields of society today.

John Hoptak, a full time ranger for the National Park Service at Antietam National Battlefield, writes and photographs on events at that park. As the blog name here indicates he has a special interest in the 48th PA V.V.I. and so there are posts on other battles or actions or persons related to that regiment.

Battlefield Wanderings

Nick Kurtz is a self-described “Civil War nut” who doesn’t just wander battlefields but photographs them. Well. He has an exceptional eye through the lens and an added ability to shoot modern-day battlefield landscapes in such away as to convey where monuments are in relation to each other.